Daniel Evans made U.S. Open history on Tuesday, doing so in unexpected fashion despite having never won a Grand Slam title this year and having fallen to 184th in the world rankings at age 34.
But in her first match in Flushing, the veteran Briton did more than just defeat No. 23 Karen Khachanov.
He won after trailing 4-0 in the fifth and deciding set, the longest match in Open history since the tiebreak was introduced in 1970.
“I was just sore all over,” Evans said after his 6-7 (6), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4 victory on Court 6 that lasted a record five hours and 35 minutes and saw him win 392 total points. “I don't think I've ever played five hours in one day, ever in one go. [about] On the court.
“I'm very proud that I got through the match. I think that's the biggest feeling of all. I've had a lot of first-round matches this year. It feels good to win a match. … When you're not winning, you always have doubts. That's normal in anything in life. When you're not doing well, you have doubts. It's the same in tennis.”
The longest match ever at the US Open was 5 hours and 26 minutes.
It was the 1992 semifinal, when Stefan Edberg defeated Michael Chang.
It was a draining match for both players, and at one point in the fourth set, Evans checked the scoreboard to see where he was in the match.
“We didn't really know what situation we were in,” he said.
It's been a tough year for Evans, who went 1-1 in his first three majors of the season and 4-17 in singles matches this year. Injuries have plagued him.
Tuesday was different. He defied adversity on Tuesday, especially when he found himself in deep trouble in the final set, rallying to win the next six games against Khachanov, a 2022 U.S. Open semifinalist. Evans advanced to the second round on Thursday against unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone.
“I think when you're a kid, you're taught to fight to the end,” said Evans, who reached the fourth round at the 2021 U.S. Open and the third round last year. “So, that's like the No. 1 rule. I've been pretty consistent with that throughout my career and I feel like it kind of paid off today.”
They defeated Russia in five sets in the first round on the second day of the 2024 tournament.
The U.S. Open on August 27, 2024. Getty Images
It's unclear how much practice he'll be able to do on Thursday. Evans won't practice on Wednesday, instead using the day to rest. He'll look to move forward with renewed confidence. He probably won't need to be on the court for as long as he was on Tuesday in his next match.
“I never want to do it again,” Evans joked. “That's for sure.”
